Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This arose following the tragedy last year in Union Hall, County Cork. The Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Transport, Tourism and Sport attended the launch. There have been sophisticated digital communications developments in this field. If fishermen carry the device on their life jackets and, unfortunately or tragically, end up in the water, the beacon will go off. The same applies to the locator for the vessel. These developments have progressed greatly in the past few years. Both Ministers outlined work, training and funding programmes, with 60% for smaller boats and 40% for larger boats. Clearly, the requirement for fishermen to engage in training on a five yearly basis speaks for itself. We all recall the most recent tragedy involving the Bolger family off the Waterford coast. It is hoped yesterday's launch on a beautiful day in Union Hall, poignant though it was, which was different from the occasion on which the tragedy occurred, will lead to lives being saved. As these developments improve, they are becoming seriously sophisticated in terms of GPS location. I hope the programme to have them used well will save lives and bring a sense of comfort to families. Unfortunately, tragedies like this happen and people are lost overboard.

The work programme is set out and will be followed through in detail.

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